Education and Higher Education Minister Abbas Halabi at his office in the Ministry. (Credit: A.M.H./L'Orient-Le Jour)
Lebanon's caretaker Education Minister Abbas Halabi announced on Sunday that the start of the public school year has been postponed to Nov. 4, amid ongoing heavy Israeli bombings affecting several regions of the country.
In a press conference, Halabi stated that public schools, secondary schools and vocational institutions would begin classes on Nov. 4, with lessons offered remotely or through a hybrid system combining online and in-person instruction. Registration will be done electronically. He expressed hope that "the school year will not be lost, despite the difficult circumstances."
Public schools in areas not affected by the bombings are currently serving as shelters for hundreds of thousands of displaced people from southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, which are under continuous Israeli airstrikes.
Private schools and universities
In private schools, classes can continue remotely depending on their capacities. "The decision to hold in-person classes will be up to each institution," Halabi added.
He also announced that UNICEF plans to cover the printing costs for 1.5 million textbooks "for all educational levels" and is willing to provide fuel, internet connectivity and insurance for educational centers.
Regarding universities, the minister said that private universities would decide whether to resume in-person classes as of Monday, taking into account students' situations. Each university will also determine whether to offer remote or in-person instruction.
